Thinking about Covid-19: Time for a Walk

So, I have a birthday arriving in a couple of days and at this point it seems like they’re coming at me every 90-days. Or maybe at this point I’m confusing my birthdays with business survival plans.

Back on March 12, we took a temporary step back from providing dental care. It had become clear that Covid-19 coronavirus could be transmitted by asymptomatic individuals by way of multiple degrees of handshake separation. With no testing or tracing and a vaccine nowhere in sight, we really had no choice (later, we also learned the virus was most contagious just before symptoms began to surface.)

Don’t know about you but when my birthday and pandemics collide, I become reflective. And when I slowly breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth (Miyagi style) and anticipate the foreseeable future; I get a thready pulse, clammy skin, and a panicky impulse to look for an extra-large bag of Doritos.

2019 was challenging. Our two most experienced team members were out for most of the year and we paid for a 12-month training system that wasn’t a fit (but the fee could’ve put me up at Pebble Beach for almost two months.) Registered Dental Assistant Kolleen filled a leadership role and kept us in line with our practice purpose of “making a world class difference for others and making dentistry fun.” As 2020 began, Kolleen shared the new year couldn’t possibly be more challenging than 2019. Not so fast my friend.

Since March 12, I’ve been at the office every day figuring out a 90-day survival plan, securing SBA disaster loans, PPP, EIDL, and payment deferrals; building spread sheets, leading Zoom conferences with my team and Invisalign group of doctors and attending Zoom conferences led by educators, trainers, and vendors. Like many of my colleagues, I’ve plunged into webinars that’ve never fit into the work schedule. Almost forgot about the mini-series of calls, texts, and emails to the CPA, HR guy, and multiple bankers (so far, no candlestick maker.)

Together, some of our team have taken an intentional step back for a hard look at our existing systems; we’re also examining future systems and our co-existing with a flattened Covid-19 curve.

And we’ve also taken a step back for a better look at our lives. On December 22, 2019, the first day of our Holiday vacation, I spent the entire day at the office and hurried off to see the Chiropractor (who’s kept my back, shoulders, neck and hands in great shape vs a timeless occupational hazard.) For the first time in Von Bulow history, my blood pressure was elevated. It so unnerved me, I went straight to the Kaiser ER and basically dozed off in a gown for 5-hours. The tests results were fine, and I left with a normal BP.

Since March 12, even though the prospect of the future is daunting and I’m missing seeing my team and patients who’re just like family, I’m sleeping like a baby. And even though providing care is fulfilling and purposeful and something I’ve been doing for forty-four freakin years, I’ve been taking daily marathon morning walks with a personable attractive neighbor, reading voraciously, and writing like crazy. It’s like being a dentist has defined who I am, but the virus triggered a recount of the candles on my birthday cake.

One of my fellow Invisalign presidents shared a video capturing the new Covid-19 pandemic dental experience, scheduled to come our way on May 18 (we won’t have all our required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) until the end of May.) The video was beautifully produced. And the future looks like a Grey’s Anatomy pandemic ER working out of 2,000 square feet and awesome natural light.

So, I’m not saying I don’t remain the foremost elite athlete/scribe/DDS-type in the San Gabriel valley, but maybe I am getting a little too old for a cap and gown, two masks, a shield, loops and shoe covers…just to say hello. Nah, we got this.

Think it’s time for a marathon walk…and no candles please.

That’s the ticket.